# Most USEFUL Apps I Use As A Solo Creator  ## Must Have [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=0s) - The must-have tools for a solo creator include essential apps that are depended on the most, starting with the editing app of choice, [[Final Cut Pro]], due to its speed, smooth timeline cutting, and optimization for [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] devices [(00:00:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=15s). - Final Cut Pro is preferred over [[DaVinci Resolve]] and [[Adobe Premiere Pro | Premiere Pro]], despite their popularity and features, as it is easier to use and has a one-time purchase price of $300 [(00:00:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=17s). - DaVinci Resolve has a fully capable free version and a one-time purchase option, while Premiere Pro is considered overpriced at $23 a month [(00:01:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=79s). - [[Adobe Photoshop]] is used for thumbnails, despite trying to avoid [[Adobe Inc. | Adobe]] products, due to its feature richness and large community, and is available at $10 a month through the Photoshop photography plan [(00:01:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=105s). - [[Affinity Photo]] is a competitor to Photoshop but lacks features and community support [(00:02:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=123s). - [[Notion (productivity software) | Notion]] is used for planning videos, as it makes more sense for heavy database use, despite also using [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] for other tasks [(00:02:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=140s). - [[Substack]] is used for writing and sharing monthly newsletters via email, due to its free plan with unlimited subscribers and decent interface [(00:02:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=164s). - Other options for email newsletters include ConvertKit and Beehi, but they are geared towards selling products and may not be suitable for non-sales purposes [(00:02:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=172s). ## Nice To Have [(00:03:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=206s) - Having a custom domain in email is not necessary but adds value and looks professional, and can be achieved by registering a domain name and using an email service provider, with domains being affordable at around $10 a year [(00:03:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=207s). - Registering a domain name is recommended for anyone with an online presence, even if they don't plan on having a website, as it provides peace of mind and can be used for email addresses [(00:03:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=231s). - [[Cloudflare]] is a reliable choice for registering a domain, with no hidden fees or complaints [(00:04:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=258s). - [[Proton Mail]] is a recommended [[Mailbox provider | email provider]] that offers a custom email address, is privacy-first, and has a suite of apps, but has limited integration with other platforms [(00:04:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=268s). - Proton Mail offers additional features such as a VPN and password manager, and is more affordable than [[Google]] Workspace plans for custom domain email [(00:05:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=313s). - [[ICloud | iCloud]] can also be used as an email provider with a custom domain, even with the cheapest plan, offering insane value at just $1 a month [(00:05:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=339s). - Recut is an app that makes editing easier by removing silent parts and separating each piece of dialogue, allowing for easy export to any editing app [(00:05:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=348s). - Recut is a one-time payment of $100 and can save a significant amount of time when editing videos, especially when working with multiple takes [(00:06:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=399s). - [[Eagle]] is a user interface for assets that allows easy categorization and filtering, making it simple to find specific assets, such as b-roll clips, by tags, and it also has a [[Google Chrome | Chrome]] extension for collecting inspiration [(00:07:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=427s). - Eagle's features include filtering by various criteria, hovering over clips to play them, and a forthcoming revamp with Eagle 4.0, and it is available at an affordable price of $30 [(00:07:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=427s). - [[Epidemic Sound]] is a platform for background music and sound effects, offering a wide range of options, recommendations based on the user's [[YouTube]] channel, and playlists curated by other creators, all for $10 a month [(00:08:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=490s). - Make is a no-code automation platform that allows users to automate tasks, workflows, apps, and systems without needing to know how to code, and it powers over half a million businesses worldwide [(00:08:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=524s). - Make can be used to automate complex workflows, solve real problems, and integrate with other tools, such as [[Notion (productivity software) | Notion]] and Todoist, and it offers pre-built workflows that can be easily added and customized [(00:08:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=524s). - With Make, users can automate tasks such as moving tasks from Todoist to Notion, and it offers a Pro Plan with 10,000 operations per month, which can be tried for free for one month using a referral link [(00:10:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=605s). ## Premium [(00:10:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=615s) - Genius Link is a premium tool used to create [[Affiliate marketing | affiliate links]] that direct viewers to the correct [[Amazon (company) | Amazon]] store based on their location, providing a better experience for viewers and allowing creators to earn commissions from purchases made through their links [(00:10:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=615s). - Genius Link offers features such as automatic link redirection, commission tracking, and customizable links, making it a more convenient option than Amazon's own service, Amazon One Link [(00:10:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=622s). - The pricing for Genius Link is affordable, starting at $6 for 2,000 clicks, and decreases as the number of clicks increases, making it a cost-effective option for creators [(00:11:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=681s). - Thumbnail Test is a premium tool used to A/B test thumbnails and titles for [[YouTube]] videos, providing more detailed information and control than YouTube's built-in testing feature [(00:12:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=741s). - Thumbnail Test allows creators to test multiple thumbnails and titles, track performance, and gain insights into what works best for their audience, making it a valuable tool for optimizing video performance [(00:12:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=760s). - One of 10 is a premium tool that helps creators discover outliers on YouTube, such as videos that have performed exceptionally well, and provides insights into what makes them successful [(00:13:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=781s). - One of 10 allows creators to filter results, find similar topics and thumbnails, and gain inspiration for their own content, making it a valuable tool for content creation and research [(00:13:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=819s). - One of 10 also comes with a [[Google Chrome | Chrome]] extension, allowing creators to see outliers directly on YouTube and get a better understanding of what works and what doesn't [(00:13:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=837s). ## Honorable Mentions [(00:14:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=894s) - Storyblocks is an honorable mention, offering a vast library of stock footage for use as b-roll in videos, with a subscription cost of $30 per month, which also includes a music and sound effects library, although not as extensive as [[Epidemic Sound]] [(00:14:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=895s). - Storyblocks can be a cost-effective option for users, potentially eliminating the need for a separate Epidemic Sound subscription, and has been used in the past without any copyright issues [(00:15:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=901s). - MotionBFX is another honorable mention, providing a wide range of plugins for most editing platforms, such as [[Final Cut Pro | Final Cut]] or Premiere, which can save time and offer value, especially for those not skilled in After Effects or [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Motion [(00:15:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=936s). - MotionBFX plugins are considered polished, although other options like [[Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy | Inad]] or X Factory offer cheaper alternatives, and the dashboard shows a collection of grabbed plugins [(00:15:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=944s). ## Tools that are (probably) not worth it [(00:16:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=965s) - [[VidIQ]] and TubeBuddy are tools that are not worth the cost, as they were more useful in the past when tags and keywords mattered, but not anymore [(00:16:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=965s). - New [[YouTuber | YouTubers]] often jump on these tools due to heavy promotion across the platform, but they are not necessary for success [(00:16:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=973s). - In the past, TubeBuddy's highest tier plan was used for its AB test feature, but alternatives like Thumbnail Test and YouTube's version are now available [(00:16:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=998s). - VidIQ and TubeBuddy are not scams, but rather tools that are not essential for new creators, who may feel pressured to use them to succeed [(00:16:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1006s). - Both VidIQ and TubeBuddy offer significant discounts for their higher tier plans when paying upfront for a year, possibly indicating that they are aware of their decreasing necessity [(00:16:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1016s). ## Future Services [(00:17:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1024s) - A service that will be used in the future is Framer, which is a no-code website building tool [(00:17:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1024s). - The current website was initially built using Ghost, an open-source blog and newsletter platform, on [[Digital Ocean]], but it has become outdated [(00:17:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1029s). - Ghost is a common platform for blogging and newsletters, but many other tools have been developed since then that allow website building without coding [(00:17:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1048s). - Framer is one of the alternatives to Ghost and will be used for the next website, offering more features and a no-code solution [(00:17:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1061s). - Other alternatives include Carrd, which is suitable for one-page websites that redirect traffic to other sources and is one of the cheapest options available [(00:17:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1068s). - For more complex websites that require no coding, Framer or [[Webflow]] are recommended options [(00:18:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1083s). - Framer was recommended by many people and will be tried out, despite not being an area of expertise [(00:18:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1087s). ## Total cost and final thoughts [(00:18:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1093s) - The total cost of the yearly subscriptions, when converted to monthly payments, amounts to $110 per month, while the one-time payments, such as [[Final Cut Pro | Final Cut]] and different plugins, total $730 [(00:18:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1096s). - Larger creators with teams often pay more than this amount, with some paying more than the cost of two [[Adobe Creative Cloud]] subscriptions [(00:18:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1111s). - On the other hand, some huge creators do not pay any subscriptions, barely editing their videos, and still have millions of subscribers [(00:18:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1120s). - The cost of tools is a matter of perspective, and creators use different tools depending on their needs and preferences [(00:18:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1128s). - An invitation is extended to creators to share the tools they use in the comments [(00:18:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNpHj2RNcM&t=1132s).